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θνήσκω

thnḗskō

G2348 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To die, to come to the end of physical life; also, to cease to exist, to perish, or in some contexts to become spiritually or metaphorically dead. The primary meaning is the process or act of dying (especially in reference to living beings), but the term can also be extended to non-physical forms of cessation or ruin.

Semantic Range

to die (physically), to be dead, to perish, to cease to exist, to come to ruin (metaphoric), to be spiritually dead (metaphoric or idiomatic)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Greek root θαν- (than-), with the addition of the -ησκω verb ending, forming θνήσκω as a present tense form. Related to the more basic verb θάνω (thanō), especially in older or poetic usages. Ultimately linked to the Indo-European root *dheu- ('to die').

Historical & Contextual Notes

Although θνήσκω appears in the present system, actual usage in literature often overlaps with forms from θανεῖν (the aorist infinitive of θνῄσκω). Classical Greek distinguishes between θνῄσκω (present stem) and θανεῖν/ἀποθνῄσκω (aorist/compound forms). In the Septuagint, θνήσκω frequently renders Hebrew מוּת (mût, 'to die'), especially in narrative and legal contexts, emphasizing the finality or event of death, whether physical, social, or sometimes metaphorical. In the New Testament, θνήσκω is used almost exclusively in the sense of physical death, but some passages employ it metaphorically (e.g., spiritual death, cessation of a practice). Standard English translations such as "to die" or "be dead" cover the core meaning but may not capture the full metaphorical or idiomatic nuances expressed in Greek literature. Distinct from ἀποθνῄσκω, which often adds the nuance of death as a result or outcome, or death 'away from' something. There is no sharp distinction in the Koine between θνήσκω and its cognates, though individual authors may prefer one form over another.

Translation Consistency

primary "die" 8 occurrences

“Die” is the most natural, common English verb that captures the primary meaning of θνήσκω (the process or act of ceasing physical life) and readily extends to senses of perishing, ceasing to exist, or being spiritually/metaphorically dead. It fits the typical usage across occurrences and allows regular inflectional renderings (died, dying, be dead) while remaining simple and consistent.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"dead" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a strengthened form of a simpler primary (which is used for it only in certain tenses); to die (literally or figuratively):--be dead, die.

Root Family

θνῄσκω (thnēskō) — to die, perish, come to an end

Root θνή- to die, perish, come to an end

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2348-02 τέθνηκεν tethneken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG has died has died has died 3
G2348-04 τεθνηκὼς tethnekos V PRF ACT PTCP NOM M SG dead having died having died 2
G2348-03 τεθνηκέναι tethnekenai V PRF ACT INF to be dead to have died to be dead 1
G2348-06 τεθνηκότος tethnekotos V PRF ACT PTCP GEN M SG who had died of the one having died who had died 1
G2348-05 τεθνηκότα tethnekota V PRF ACT PTCP ACC M SG dead having died having died 1
G2348-01 τεθνήκασιν tethnekasin V PRF ACT IND 3P PL are dead they have died they have died 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2348-01 Matthew 2:20 τεθνήκασιν tethnekasin V PRF ACT IND 3P PL are dead they have died they have died
G2348-02 Mark 15:44 τέθνηκεν tethneken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG he-had-died has died has died
G2348-04 Luke 7:12 τεθνηκὼς tethnekos V PRF ACT PTCP NOM M SG dead having died having died
G2348-02 Luke 8:49 τέθνηκεν tethneken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG has died has died has died
G2348-04 John 11:44 τεθνηκὼς tethnekos V PRF ACT PTCP NOM M SG who had died having died having died
G2348-05 John 19:33 τεθνηκότα tethnekota V PRF ACT PTCP ACC M SG dead having died having died
G2348-03 Acts 14:19 τεθνηκέναι tethnekenai V PRF ACT INF to be dead to have died to be dead
G2348-06 Acts 25:19 τεθνηκότος tethnekotos V PRF ACT PTCP GEN M SG who had died of the one having died who had died
G2348-02 1 Timothy 5:6 τέθνηκεν tethneken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG is-dead has died has died
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